RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh has put up on display a rare collection of postage stamps that chronicle contemporary Saudi history covering various national occasions and events, both before and after the founding of the Kingdom.
The library’s stamp collection comprises 13,000 stamps, including rare specimens issued during the reign of King Abdulaziz Al-Saud, state news agency SPA reported on Wednesday.
The oldest stamp in the collection dates back to March 1925.
A particularly significant historical stamp commemorates King Abdulaziz’s accession to the throne in 1931-1932, preceding the unification of the Kingdom on Sept. 23, 1932. The first stamp bearing the name “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” was issued in 1934, with several editions printed in various colors.
During King Abdulaziz’s reign, stamp collections were issued to mark significant events such as the opening of the railway, visits by Arab and Islamic leaders and the introduction of airmail services.
The rare stamp collection offers a fascinating glimpse into the historical development of Saudi Arabia and its postal system, SPA reported.
